Buttonhole-machine.



G. W. NELSON. BUTTONHOLE MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED 111111.15, 19o?.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

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///.S Hirn/74496 G. W. NELSON.

BUTTONHOLE MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED 111111.15. 1907.

949,401. Patented Feb.15,191o.

BSHEETB-SHBET 2.

ANDREW u uvt/MAM cn, PnoTo-Llmoomruues, wnzummon. nc

G. W. NELSON.

BUTTONHOLB MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1907.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

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'UNITE GEORGE W. NELSON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

BUTTONHOLE-MACHINE.

To all whom it may conce/rn:

Be it known that l. Geenen W. NncsoN, of Minneapolis. llennepin county. Minne sota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in luttonhole-Machines, ot' which the. following is a specitlcation.

My invention relates to button-hole attachments tor sewine' machines operated b y hand or power and tor making button holes ot various sizes and lengths ot' stitches.

The primary object ot my invention is to simplify and improve the mechanism shown and described in a certain pending application tor VLetters Patent ot the United States tiled by me l)e .ember t0. lttOt` Serial No. 347.035.

The invention consists generally in improved means t'or regulating the. length or bight ot the button-hole stitch.

.Iturtheix the invention consists in improved means 'tor shitting the stitch from one side ot" the button-hole to the other.

Further, the invention consists in improved means 'tor regulating` the lengths ot the rows ot stitches on each side ot the button-hole.

Further. the invention consists in improved means 'tor spacingl thc stitches and making the distance between them uni'torm at the sides of the buttonshole.

Further. the invention consists in i111- proved means tor 'forming a streilgtheningI bar at each end ot' the button-hole.

Further. the invention consists in means 'tor causing the piling up oit` the stitches at the points where the bars are lormed.

Further. the invention consists in various constructions and combinations. all as hereinat'ter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanylugl drawings. 't'orming part ci: this specitication` Figure t is a top view of a button hole attachment 'tor sewing machinesembodyingl my invention. Fig. is a 'trout view ot the same. rear view. Fig. t is z bottom view showing the mechanism Vtor shitting the Vt`eed plates at the ends ot' the button hole and 'tor Ytorming the bars therein. Fig. 5 is an end view ot the attachment. Fig. (l is a sectional view on the line :v -.1f o'tf Fig. t. l `igs. T and S are views illustrating the operation ot the kni'te preparatory to cutting the but,- ton-hole. Fig. t) is a detail view illustrating a term of button-hole showing the direction Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 15, 1907.

Fig. 2l is a Patented Feb. 1.5, 1910.

serial No. 368,448.

ot movement ot the needle in stitching the same. the. mechanism t'or causing the piling up oi the stitches at the ends ot the button-hole. Fig. v11 is a sectional view on the line 'lf/ y o't2 Fig. 1.

In the drawing. 2 represents a base, having suitable means` such as screws 3. tor securing it to the top ot a sewing machine. A plate t extends trom one end ot said base, and is adapted to cover the teed plate. ot' the machine and avoid the necessity o't removing this plate when the attachment is used. rl`he plate t has a keyhole slot 5 in which the needle operates. t3 is the lower clamp plate mounted on said base and having an end overhanging the plate 4l.

i' is the upper clamp plate secured by a thumb .screw o and havingl a slot t) at one end to receive a lug` l() whereon the said plate oscillates vertically a sutlicient distance to allow the work to be inserted between it and the lower clamp plate t3. Both ot these plates have openings 11 therethrough ot sutlicient size to expose the blitton hole as it is being formed.

12 is a gripper plate supported on the upper clamp plate by lugs 13 and having ttanged edges tt which overhang the edges of the lower clamp plate on each side ot the opening therein and serve to hold the cloth lirmly on the lower clamp plate and stretch it snlliciently so that the button hole will be smoothly and evenly made. This gripper plate can be slipped ott' the upper clamp plate vwhenever desired.

15 is the needle har having a needle lt and a projection 15T on one side against which an arm 1S mounted on a shat't 1t) having bearings in standards :2O and 20', is yieldingly held 'following the bar in its upward and downward movement. hub 21 is secured on said shafty having inwardly projecting arms and a springl 23 coiled on the said shaft is connected at one end to the standard Q0. and bears at its other end upon one o't the arms 22 to yieldingly hold them in a depressed position. and the arm 18 in continuous contact with the projection 17. rlhe lower clamp plate (3 has a longitudinal slot '21, and a plate 25 rests on said clamp plate over one end ot said slot and has a pivot screw 26 onwhich the said clamp plate oscilla tes. A slot 2T is provided in the base plate under the clamp plate and a plate 2S Fig. t0 is a detail view illustrating is fitted against the under side of the base. beneath the slot 27, and into this plate 28 the pivot screw 26 extends.

In the opposite end of the slot in the clamp plate a block 29 is provided and a feed plate 30 is arranged transversely of said slot and has a screw 31 passing therethrough. This feed plate extends under the rock shaft 19 substantially at right angles thereto and is provided with an upright standard 32 having an opening` 33 with a cam edge 34. The plate 30 is adapted to reciprocate in a dove-tailed slot 35 in the upper surface of a plate 36 which reciprocates within a corresponding slot 37 in the base. A standard 38 is mounted on the plate 36 and a ratchet 39 having a series of teeth 40 is pivoted on the standard 33 and carries a triangular plate 41 which projects into the opening 33 in the standard 32 and is adapted to engage the cam edges thereof, and cause the reciprocation of the plate 30 at predetermined points in the operation of the machine. The ratchet 39 is revolved step by step by means of a loop 42 that is U-shaped in form and pivotally suspended between the arms 22 and held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet by a spring 43. The rocking of the shaft 19 in one direction will cause the loop 42 to slide down over the teeth of the ratchet and on the upward movement of the loop with the opposite rock of the shaft, the ratchet will be revolved and the plate 30 reciprocated to move the lower clamp bar back and forth and regulate the length or bight of the stitches on each side of the button-hole. During this movement the block 29 will slide in the slot of the clamp Ybar sufliciently to allow the free movement of said bar.

The mechanism for feeding the material and regulating the length of the button hole consists, preferably, of a ratchet device comprising a disk 44 having a series of peripheral ratchet teeth 45 and centrally pivoted on a stud 46 at one end of the base. A screw 47 has its lower end slidably mounted in a guide 48 on the top of said disk and is pivotally connected by a bar 49 with the upper clamp bar. By adjusting the screw 47 in its slot the length of the button-hole can be regulated. The nearer the screw is set to the center of the disk the shorter will be the rows of stitches on each side of the button hole until the center of the disk is reached when the bar 49 will have no longitudinal movement at all. The screw 47 is conveniently located and the operator can easily and quickly adjust the mechanism for the desired length of the button hole. vTo operate the ratchet device, I provide a bar 50 slidably mounted on the base by means of a slot 51 and a screw 52, and carrying dogs 53 that are held in engagement with the ratchetteeth of the disk 44 by a spring 54.

The bar 50 has an upwardly turned end 55 in position to be engaged by a thumb screw 56 threaded into the lower end of an arm 57 that is pivoted at its upper end on the standard 20. A spring 5S normally holds the arm 57 and the adjusting screw 56 out of contact with the turned up end of the bar 50. A cam 59 is mounted on the end of the rock shaft in position to engage a lug 60 on the arm 57 so that with each stroke of the said shaft the arm 57 will be oscillated to move the screw 56 into contact with the bar 50 and force it forward to revolve the ratchet disk. The length of the stroke will depend upon the adjustment of the screw 56.

In a device of this kind where a ratchet and pitman drive are employed it will be understood that the longitudinal movement of the clamp plate will be somewhat irregular, slowing up as the pitman passes the center and moving faster at other points. This irregular movement would be objectionable as it would result in uneven spacing of the stitches, and I therefore provide means whereby the movement of the ratchet will be substantially7 uniform at all points of its revolution. The mechanism which I prefer to employ consists of a disk 61 secured on the stud 46 and having lugs 62 on opposite sides thereof in position to be engaged by a lug 63 on a lever arm 64 that is pivoted at 65 on the base and attached at its other end to the bar 50, a spring 66 normally holding the lug 63 in contact with the edge of the disk 61. During the revolution of the disk the lug 63 will follow its periphery and the lugs 62 are so arranged that they will contact with the lug 63 and force the arm 64 outwardly to increase the movement of the ratchet at the time when the pitman is passing' the center. During the time the lug 63 is riding on one of the lugs 62 the stroke of Vthe bar 50 will be very limited and consequently the stitches at the ends of the button hole or where the bars are formed will be very close together or piled upon one another'. Vvhen the lug 63 passes off the lug 62 the dog 53 will slide back over a number of the ratchet teeth and be in position to increase the movement of the ratchet disk and equalize its travel to uniformly space the stitches while the pitman is passing the center.

For the purpose of increasing the throw or travel of the short arm of the clamp plate 6 to form the bars at the ends of the but-ton hole, I provide a cam plate 67 beneath the disk 61 and mounted on the stud 46 and provided with oppositely arranged lugs 8O in position to engage an arm 81 pivoted at 82 on the base and connected by a link 33 with an arm 84 also pivoted on said base at one end and having a series of holes 85 in its other end and arranged substantially parallel with an arm 87 also pivoted at one end Cgi on said base and having holes corresponding to those in the arm Slt and adjustable through said holes b y a link 88. A, spring 88 normally holds the arm Sl in engagement with the periphery of the cam plate (37. y

One end of the arm 87 has a slot 89 through which a screw passes into the plate 2S. Through this mechanism the oscillation ot the arm 81 is transmitted to the pivotal point oit the lower clamp plate (S and said pivot moved back and forth on said clamp plate and base to increase the distance between said pivot and the button hole and cause the formation ot the bars at the ends ot' the button hole. The adjustment ot the link 88 on the arms S4 and 87 permits the stroke of the arm 87 to be regulated lor the purpose ot' increasing or decreasing the travel of the plate 28 and the length ot the button hole bars.

The stitches having been formed on one side of the button hole, it is necessary to provide mechanism for carrying the work around on the other side to form the other row ot stitches. I therefore provide a cam plate (37 also mounted on the stud -l-G within an opening 68 of a shifter bar 69 that is pivoted at one end by a screw 70 to a plate 7l which is secured to the sliding plate 3G through a slot 7 2 in the base. A slot 73 is formed in the cam 67 through which a screw 7st passes into the cam plate 67 to permit the adjustment ot the cam 07 and properly time the operation ot the mechanism controlled thereby. The shifter bar (39 has a slot 75 therein through which a screw 7G passes into a lever 77 that is pivoted at 78 on the under side ot' the base and has a sutlicient tension or spring to keep in contact with a series o'tl teeth 70 provided on the flanged edge ot said base. By pressing down on the free end of the lever 77 it will be disengaged Atrom the teeth and may be,

oscillated back and forth to increase or decrease the stroke otI the shiitter bar.

'In an attachment, ot' this kind it is desirable to provide a knife for cutting the button hole, with mechanism for operating it at predetermined periods. I theret'ore provide a lever 01 mounted in a bracket 02 that is pivoted at 03 on the base and hasI a vertical movement in its bearings on said lu'acket and is normally held in a raised position by a spring 04. A cutting blade 0l is mounted on the lever 01. A spring normally tends to swing the said lever 01 into the path oit the needle bar and the end of said lever 01 has a socket 0G to receive the needle and rise and fall therewith as the mechanism is operated. An arm 97 is mounted on the said b 'aeket and engages a notch 98 in a dog 99 that is pivoted at 100 on the said base and has an arm 101 which projects over the edge of the ratchet disk 44. A spring 102 normally tends to hold the said dog 90 in engagement with the arm 07. A curved plate 103 is secured on the disk 44 in position to engage the arm 101 and trip the dog 09 once in every complete revolution of the disk elet, and during the time the arm 101 is in engagement with the plate 103 the dog 90 will be held away trom the arm 07 and the spring 05 will be free to swing the knife lever into the path of the needle bar. lVith every alternate stroke oit the needle the knife lever is moved away from the needle, and this is aecomplished by means of a plate 104: having a slot 105 through which said plate is adjustably connected with the plate 30. During the movement oit the plate in one direction the plate 101 will engage the arm 97 and swing the knit'e lever away from the work. (7)11 the return movement ot' the plate 30, however, the knife lever will be allowed to swing into the path of the needle bar. During one o't' the movements of the arm 97 actuated by the plate 10-1 the dog 99 will be released, returning into the path of the arm 07 will lock it in ltsinoperative position.

l claim as my invention:

l. The combination, with a base, of sliding feed plates arranged one above another thereon, clamping members connected with said plates and means for moving them longitudinally, standards mounted on said plates respectively, one of said standards having an opening provided with cam edges, a ratchet wheel mounted on the other stainlard, a triangular plate carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to enter said opening, and means for operating said ratchet wheel.

2. The combination, with a base plate, ot' sliding feed plates operatiiig one upon another thereon, clamping .members connected with said plates and means for moving them longitudinally, standards mounted on said t'eed plates respectively, one of said standards having an opening provided with cam edges, a ratchet wheel mounted on the other standard, a triangular plate carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to extend into said opening and engage said cam edges, a loop arranged to engage the teeth ot' said ratchet wheel, and means tor operating said loop to reciprocate said standards.

'lhe cmnbination, with a sliding feed. plate, and a standard mounted thereon having an opening provided with irregular edges, there being recesses or depressions tormed iu said edges on opposite sides of said opening. clamping plates connected with said 'toed plates and means for moving' them longitudinally, a triangular plate litting` within said opening and in contact with the edges thereof, a ratchet wheel whereon said plate is mounted, a loop arranged to engage the teeth o3 said ratchet vwheel and revolve the same with a step by step movement, a rock shaft, arms mounted thereon and on which arms said loop is supported, and means for operating said rock shaft.

et. In a sewing' machine, the combination, with the needle bar and needle, of a rock shaft having an arm in the path of said needle bar, a pivoted clamp plate, a sliding feed plate connected with said clamp plate and having an opening provided with irregular edges, means for moving said plates longitudinally, a ratchet wheel having a series of teeth, a triangular plate mounted on said ratchet wheel and projecting into the opening in said standard and adapted to engage said irregular edges to reciprocate said standard and feed plate, arms mounted on said rock shafts, and a loop carried by said arms and adapted to slip over the teeth of said ratchet when said arms are moved in one direction and to engage said teeth and revolve said ratchet when said arms are moved in the opposite direction, whereby an oscillating movement will be imparted to said clamp plate, for the purpose speciiied.

5. In a sewing' machine, the combination, with a needle bar having a projection on one sidepof a rock shaft having an arm in the path of said projection, a spring device for normally holding said arm in contact with said projection, a clamp plate parallel substantially with said shaft and having an oscillating' movement, a feed plate extending under said shaft at right angles substantially thereto and connected with said clamp plate, and mechanism actuated by the rocking of said shaft for reciprocating said feed plate and oscillating said clamp plate, said mechanism includinga ratchet and means for revolving the same and a loop having an arm connection with said rock shaft.

G., The combination, with a feed plate, clamping members connected with said plate and means for moving the same` longitudinally, of a ratchet wheel, a pitman connecting said ratchet wheel and said feed plate, a plate having a dog in engagement with said ratchet wheel, means for reciprocating said plate to operate said ratchet wheel step by step, and a regulating device whereby the movement of said ratchet wheel is increased or decreased according to the position of the pitman, and the travel of said feed plate thereby made uniform.

7. In a button hole machine, the combination, with the upper and lower clamp plates between which the work is held, said lower plate having a longitudinal slot and a pivot pin extending through said slot and on which said clamp plate is adapted to slide lengthwise, of means for reciprocating said plates lei'igthwise, said means comprising a disk having a series of peripheral ratchet teeth, and means for revolving said disk with a step by step movement, and a pitman rod connecting said diskwith said lower clamp plate, and said pitman rod having an adjustable connection with said disk whereby the stroke of said clamp plates may be regulated, and means for oscillating said clamping plates laterally.

8. ln a button hole machine, the combination, with the upper and lower clamp plates, said lower plates having a longitudinal slot and a pivot pin extending through said slot and whereon said clamp plate is adapted to slide lengthwise and oscillate laterally, of a ratchet disk and means for rcvolvii'ig it with a step by step movement, a pitman rod connecting said disk to said clamp plat-e and whereby a longitudinal. reciprocating movement will be, imparted to said clamp plate, and means for oscillating said clamp plate on its pivot, for the purpose specified.

9. rlhe combination, with a clamp plate, of ar disk having a series of peripheral ratchet teeth., a pitman rod pivotally connecting said disk with said clamp plate, a sliding bar arranged substantially at right anglesv to said clamp plate and having a dog in engagement with the teeth of said ratchet disk, and means for reciprocating said bar to revolve said ratchet with a step by step movement and operate said clamp plate longitudinally and means for oscillating said plate laterally.

10. In a button hole machine, the combination, with a clamp plate having a longitudinal slot, and a pivot pin extending through said slot and whereon said clamp plate is adapted to slide lengthwise, a ratchet disk, a pitman rod connecting said disk with said clamp plate, a reciprocating bar having a dog to engage the teeth of said ratchet disk, a rock shaft arranged at right angles substantially to the movement of said bar, and means operated by the movement of said rock shaft for actuating` said bar to revolve said disk and move said plate lengthwise, and means actuated by the rocking of said shaft for moving said plate laterally.

ll. In a button hole machine, the combination, with a needle bar, of a reciprocating clamp plate, mechanism for reciprocating said clamp plate comprising a ratchet disk, a pitman connecting said ratchet disk with said clamp plate, a bar having a dog to engage the teeth of said rod, a rock shaft arranged to be actuated by the movement of said needle bar, a cam mounted on said rock shaft, a pivoted arm in the path of said cam, and a thumb screw mounted on said arm and arranged to engage said sliding bar, and said screw beingl adjustable in its support whereby the time of operation of said sliding bar and ratchet may be varied, and means for moving' said plate laterally.

1Q. ln a button hole machine, the combination, with a needle bar, of a reciprocating clamp plate, and means for moving it laterally, and a mechanism for moving said clamp plate longitudinally comprising a disk having a series ot' ratchet teeth, a pitman rod connecting said disk with said clamp plate, a sliding bar having a dog to engage the teeth ot said ratchet, a rock shaitt arranged to be actuated by the movement ot saidA needle bar, means operated by the movement oit' said rock shaft for actuating said sliding bar, and said means bcing :nl justablc whereby the time of operation ot said sliding bar and said rod can be varied.

l lIn a button hole machine, the combinat-ion` with a sliding clamp plate and a movable pivot whereon itI is mounted, ot means t'or reciprocating said plate lengthwise, means for oscillating said plate on its pivot, an arm S7 having a lixed pivot at one end and pivotally connected at its other end to the movable pivot of said clamp plate, a second arm also pivoted at one end, a link connecting said arms, a third arm having a link connection with said second arm and yieldingly held, and means ttor oscillating said third a rm to change the position of said movable pivot and increase or decrease the throw of the short arm of said clamp plate, substantially as described.

Il. ln a button hole machine, the combination, Vwith a base plate, ot a sliding clamp plate and means for recitn'ocating the same, a movable pivot \\'hereon said plate is mounted, an oscillating arm Sl pivoted on said base plate and having a compound link connection with said movable pivot whereby the oscillation ot said arm will move said pivot back and :torth and increase or decrease the throw of the short arm of said clamp plate, and a revolving` disk also mounted on said base plate and having periliheral lugs arranged to engage said arm 8l and oscillatc theI same, substantially as described.

l5. The combination. with a base plate having a longitudinal slot,` ot' a clamp plate also having a slot, a pivot pin passing through the slot in said base plate and in said clamp plate. and adapted to slide therein` said clamp plate having a longitudinal movement on its pivot, and means tor operating the same, means ttor imparting a transverse or oscillating movement to said clamp plate, and means for moving' the said pivot to increase the throw ot' the short arm of said clamp plate.

,ttt In a button hole machine, the combination, with a clamp plate having' a longitudinal slot and an adjustable pivot pin extending through said slot and whereon said clamp plate is adapted to slide lengthwise, means for moving said clamp plate lengthwise, an oscillating arm having a compound link connection with said movable pivot whereby the oscillation of said arm will move said pivot back and forth and increase or decrease the throw ot' the short arm of said clamp plate, and means for operating said arm and comprising a rock shaft, a ratchet wheel operatively connected with said shaft, and means for oscillating said clamp plate by the movement ot' the ratchet wheel, substantially as described.

1T. In a button hole machine, the combination, with a suitable base, ot' a clamp plate pivoted thereon, means for reciprocating said clamp plate lengthwise, a plate connected with said clamp plate at-right angles substantially thereto, and means tor reciprocating said plate 35 to oscillate said clamp plate, a plate 36 mounted on said base and supporting said plate 35, a shifter bar connected to said plate 3G at one end and having an adjustable pivot whereby the stroke ot said bar may be regulated, and said bar having an opening at one end, and a cam litting within said opening and arranged to engage the edges of the same to oscillate said shifter bar and reciprocate the plate 36.

1S. In a button hole machine, the combination, with a sliding clamp plate, and means for oscillating the same, of a ratchet device having a pitman connection with said clamp plate, and means for imparting a step by step rotary movement to said ratchet and means for reducing the movement or travel of said ratchet device at predetermined points in its revolution, tor the purpose specified.

19. ln a button hole machine, the combination, with a clamp plate, and means -for oscillating the same, of a ratchet device having a pitman connection with said plate, means tor rotating said ratchet device with a step by step movement, and means for increasing the travel of said ratchet device when the pitman is on the dead center, whereby the movement of the ratchet will be uniform.

20. In a button hole machine, the combination, with a base plate, of a clamp plate pivoted thereon, and means tor oscillating said clamp plate laterally on its pivot, said means including a plate having a sliding pivotal connection with said clamp plate and adapted to move on said base plate in a direction at right angles substantially t0 said clamp plate, and mechanism for shifting the position ot' said operating' plate at predetermined intervals, said shitting means including a bar secured to said operating plate, a shifter lever pivotally connected with said bar, and a cam device having means thereon t'or engaging and operating said shifter lever.

2l. In a button hole machine, the combination, with the upper and lower clamp plates, and means for imparting a longitudinal and lateral movement thereto, of a gripper plate havingl lugs adapted to engage the edges ot' the upper clamp plate, and Aflanged edges to overhang the edges of the lower clamp plate.

CII

22. The combination, With a base plate, of a clamp plate having a sliding pivot thereon, means for moving` said clamp plate longitudinally and laterally, an arm 87 pivoted Y on said base and having a sliding pivotal connection With said pivot, a second arm 84k also pivoted at one end on said base, a link S8 connecting said arm 84 With said arm S7 and capable of adjustment thereon, and means for oscillating said arm 84, substantially as described.

23. The combination, with a base plate and a clamp plate having' a sliding pivot thereon, means for moving said clamp plate longitudinally and laterally, of an arm 87 pivoted on said base at one end and having a sliding connection at its other end with said pivot, an arm Sat also pivoted on said base, a link connecting said arms with one another, a bar Sl pivoted at one end on said base and connected with said arm 84, a cam plate arranged to engage said bar 8l and oscillate the same, and a spring device for holding said bar 8l in contact With said cam plate.

Q4. The combination, With a base plate, of a clamp plate pivoted thereon, a feed plate operating transversely with respect to said clamp plate and attached thereto, a plate interposed between said feed plate and said base plate and having guides therein for said feed plate, a shifter lever having a slot intermediate to its ends and pivotally connected at one end with said interposed plate, a bar pivoted on said base plate and connected With the slot in said shifter lever and having one end projecting beyond said base plate, the connection of said bar with said lever sliding in the slot in said lever, and means engaging one end of said shifter lever for oscillating the same at predetermined intervals to move said interposed plate, for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of April 1907.

J. B. ERA. 

